Just as seafarers used to navigate by the stars in Hanseatic times, during Christmas a large Herrnhut star on the west side of St. Jacob’s spire points the way into the town’s maritime district.

The festively lit nave acts as an oasis of tranquillity in the lively bustle of Advent, inviting visitors to linger. A large pot filled with “Wunschpunsch” (wish punch) for young and old hangs down from the ceiling suspended by a thirty metre rope. Angel cards carry Christmas wishes and a live nativity play awaits you. So you can slip into the guise of a biblical figure from the traditional nativity story yourself. While the story is beeing told, atmospheric organ music will be played for twenty minutes at 5 pm, accompanied by candlelight.